May 2026 Northpark Expansion Update

5/11/2026 – Since my last update in April on the Northpark Drive expansion project, the most visible changes have occurred at the south entry pond on US59 and at the approach for the eastern ramp for the bridge over the UnionPacific Railroad Tracks.

Contractors have excavated the south pond deeper and paved up to the start of the ramp. Compare the photos below taken today with those taken on 4/24/26.

Photos Taken on 5/11/2026

Let’s start at 59. The south pond is still under construction. This morning, contractors were pumping it out. The Harris County Flood Warning System gage at 59 and the West Fork received 1.2 inches of rain overnight.

*Looking S at southern entry pond.* *Note pump in upper right.*

*Reverse angle. The north entry pond looks further along*.

*Looking E toward 494 from over 59 shows comparative progress of both ponds.*

*The western ramp for the bridge will go in unpaved area in the middle of the frame. However, they have not yet started on that.*

*Intersection of Loop 494 and Northpark, looking E. When the inbound and outbound surface lanes are complete the bridge itself will go up where traffic now pinches down to the center lanes.*

*However, before completion of the surface lanes, traffic and crossing signals must be moved out of the way.*

*The last few feet on each side of the tracks remain unpaved for now.*

*Father E, contractors have not yet paved the eastern ramp.*

*Walls for the ramp appear virtually complete. Note fresh cement at base of ramp in upper right.*

*That fresh cement is the second major change since the last update.*

*The rest of the way to the eastern terminus of the project just past Russell-Palmer has not changed much since the last update.*

*Looking E at Russell Palmer intersection*

For More Information

See the project page of the Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority website, including a three-week look-ahead schedule.

You can also search ReduceFlooding.com using the keyword “Northpark.”

Finally, Lake Houston Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ10 will hold a board meeting on 5/14/2026 starting at 8 AM at the Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods Drive, Kingwood, TX 77345. Here is the Agenda. They will discuss not only the current phase of the project, but a regional detention basin and the next phase of the road expansion as well. This board packet gives you a sense of what they will review.

The public will have a chance to ask question and make comments at the start of the meeting.

When complete, Northpark will be the first all-weather evacuation route from Kingwood for approximately 80,000 people.

Posted by Bob Rehak on 5/11/2026

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